Unexpected damage to a historic building can be devastating, and figuring out the next steps can be overwhelming. The good news: The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Emergency/Intervention Fund (E/I) Grants might be able to help.

While our Grants team hopes you never have a reason to ask about E/I Funds, a grant for planning from the National Trust could be just what you need to kickstart a campaign to return a building to use post-disaster.

This toolkit shares how you can apply for (and hopefully receive) an E/I grant. While funding is limited, we want to help as much as we can, so check out the steps and see if your project fits the bill.... Read More →

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America's historic places. Join us today to help protect the places that matter to you.

Walker called her home, Villa Lewaro, her "dream of dreams" -- the perfect phrase for a place that put her ingenuity, acumen, and hard work on display. And as this week's series shows, her influence continues to reverberate through history as she made history tangible for a writer, inspired an entrepreneur to start her own business, created a space for African-Americans to "do big things," and built a "monument" that speaks to the power of the American dream.

So now that you've experienced her remarkable legacy as well, maybe you have a dream of your own: to see Villa Lewaro in person. Here's how you can go one step further in making it happen -- and help save the estate at the same time.... Read More →

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America's historic places. Join us today to help protect the places that matter to you.

Moments like this come when you least expect them -- when you’re so moved to want to live more intentionally, to follow your passions and fearlessly go after that ‘thing’ you know you were always meant to do but never found the courage enough to carry out. This is just one way I was inspired by my conversation with Jodie Patterson, co-founder and chief creative officer for DooBop.com, the first online seller of beauty products geared towards women of color.

As I write this, I am listening to “SHE” by Alice Smith -- allowing lyrics like, “She had a power that they tried to tame, couldn’t tame her, tried her everyday to take it away,” to further stir the excitement of this blog post connecting Madam C.J. Walker’s legacy to the revered "beauty gladiator" (as referred to by Fast Company) that is Jodie Patterson today.... Read More →

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America's historic places. Join us today to help protect the places that matter to you.

Guests admire the murals and other intricate design on the ceiling in the dining room at Villa Lewaro.

Written by Brent Leggs, Senior Field Officer, Preservation Division

Imagine spending the night at Villa Lewaro, the estate of business pioneer Madam C. J. Walker, reopened as a luxurious bed and breakfast.

Imagine attending a holiday party hosted by the estate’s future owners.

Imagine going on a date there for an intimate jazz performance.

What if you could take a private tour of the site, followed by a high-end spa experience? Enjoy an extended sabbatical at the exclusive property with other entrepreneurs and innovators? Or host a formal wedding or company retreat there?

These are just a few of the concepts for reusing one of the premiere landmarks in African-American and women’s history, and the moment is now to bring the ideas to life.... Read More →

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America's historic places. Join us today to help protect the places that matter to you.

For more than 40 years, preservationists have been meeting in cities across the country to discuss the pressing issues of the day, explore preservation in action, and reconnect with their peers. The National Preservation Conference has always been the place to put a national spotlight on historic preservation.

The tradition will continue this year when more than 2,000 preservationists descend on Savannah, Nov. 11-14, for this year’s National Preservation Conference, PastForward. And who wouldn’t want to make a trip to such a delightful city? But time and schedules don’t always permit everyone passionate for historic preservation (professionals, hobbyists, and otherwise) to attend. So for those of you who can’t be there in person, we invite you to be our virtual attendees.... Read More →

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America's historic places. Join us today to help protect the places that matter to you.

The PreservationNation blog features stories, news, and notes from the National Trust for Historic Preservation as well as the wider preservation movement. Have a great story to share? Email us! And visit PreservationNation.org to learn more about people saving places.

The Fine Print

While the writers of the PreservationNation blog are on staff at the National Trust for Historic Preservation or affiliated organizations, their posts are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.